An elderly woman suffered severe burn injuries after she was allegedly assaulted and set on fire by her son in Odisha’s Bhadrak district, police said Thursday.

The incident took place at Galaganda village within Tihidi police limits.

The accused, identified as Debashish Nayak (45), a known substance abuser, fled the spot after allegedly setting his mother ablaze, police said.

According to preliminary reports, Debashish had asked his mother, Jyotsnarani Nayak (65), for money to buy liquor. When she refused, he allegedly attacked her. After she collapsed, he poured petrol and set her on fire, police said, quoting local residents.

When neighbours rushed to the spot hearing her screams, the accused escaped before being detained, Tihidi police station in-charge Satyabrata Graharaj said.

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